Benevolent book lovers help stock schools

Book store customers with big hearts want to see new titles in the hands of local students.

Wade Allen

Book store customers with big hearts want to see new titles in the hands of local students.

Over the past month, shoppers at Books-A-Million in Gastonia donated $5,000 for works of fiction, nonfiction and poetry.

The 663 titles they paid for will be divided equally between students at Ashbrook High School and H.H. Beam Elementary.

As customers made purchases at the store, clerks asked if they would like to also buy books for public school students. Teachers picked the works from which shoppers could choose, and Books-A-Million sold the titles for $4 to $22.

The generosity buyers showed impressed store manager Sonya Palmateer.

Some bought a single book while others gave money to buy several copies.

And some became repeat donors, buying a book for students each time they purchased titles for themselves.

“I think it’s a reflection of what a great community we have here,” she said. “They’re just really willing to give, willing to help each other out. It just warms my heart.”

Teacher selected

Books bought for classroom use are selected by teachers at the two schools. The literature will be put to use beginning this fall.

Ashbrook Principal Joey Clinton and former H.H. Beam Principal Susan Redmond picked up the books at Books-A-Million at Franklin Square on Thursday.

Clinton said the donation supplements books purchased with money in the school budget. He jumped at the chance to partner with Books-A-Million.

Redmond, who left H.H. Beam Elementary recently to begin work as principal at Belmont Middle School, said every book helps.

“For all of the schools, there’s not enough money in the budget for these extras, which just really enrich our kids and gets them hooked on reading,” she said.

You can reach Wade Allen at 704-869-1828 or twitter.com/GazetteWade.

Titles most requested by Ashbrook High School English teachers:

“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee

“Easy MacBeth” edited by Alan Durband

“November Blues” by Sharon Draper

“Animal Farm” by George Orwell

“The Epic of Gilgamesh” translated by N.K. Sandars

Titles most requested by H.H. Beam Elementary teachers:

Shel Silverstein books including “A Light in the Attic” and “Where the Sidewalk Ends”